Puppy or Dog?

Question

My grandfather is 85 years old. I am 22 and I have a full grown German Shepard, that I trained myself. Its very high disipline, and smart.

Well, my grandfather often offers to babysit my dog, when I am away, he loves to do it and I can tell. I am thinking of getting him a German Shepard as well, but I cant decide whether or not to get him a puppy, and train it myself, or get him a good full grown thats roughly 3 - 4 years old.

Keep in mind that my grandfather is old, he's 85 and has had heart surgery. He's not in the best health, but I think that a dog might improve the quality of length of his life.

Answer 1

I'd go with a well-trained older dog without the puppy exuberance (even if trained).

Keep in mind that German Shepherd can live 10-15 years and your grandfather is 85. He will probably will only be able to handle a young strong dog for a few more years (if he even can now). German shepherds are strong, active dogs that need a lot of exercise and your grandfather may not be up to that level of responsibility.

I work with a humane society and we often pair older dogs with older folks. Their energy level and life stage seem to mesh much better. Plus, the older dogs always have a much harder time getting adopted, so it's really a blessing when we can make a match like this.

Answer 2

I strongly believe that you need to ask him if he even wants a dog full time! He may love having your dog there as often as he is, but having a dog 24/7, especially a big, active breed like this one, might be too much for him to handle.

If he does want a dog, I think a puppy would be a really bad idea because, at 85, he simply couldn't handle the house training, all the other training and especially the exercise requirements. What about seeing if he'd be interested in a smaller dog, one that needs less exercise, a smaller breed, and an adult - maybe a rescue dog would be good for him.

I definitely agree with you that a dog would imptove the quality of life for someone who's a dog lover, but make sure he wants one first.

Answer 3

I think a dog certainly might improve his quality of life but a puppy is not the way to go. At 85, I know I wouldn't want to be dealing with a German Shepherd puppy. An adult rescue on the other hand would be absolutely fantastic. I would get an older dog (5-6 years +).

Answer 4

I have a German Shepherd and I have to walk her 2x/day for several miles -- jogging! Do find him a quieter type of dog! I know that not all GS need extensive exercise but plenty that I've met happen to need it daily or they become destructive in your house. But if you look around you could find one.

Puppy or dog? You could do either - I would go for an adult dog.
You can train adult dogs -and you get to know it's temperment NOW - not what it might be like when it grows up.

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From my many years experience I beg to differ with this advice! It's a myth. You do have the ability to better customize dog training with puppies because you have total control of their socialization and training but with adults you can see what they are like by temperment testing - they are just as easy - if not more so - to train.

--to add - you should discuss this with your grandfather before you get him the dog. In fact - let him pick the dog :-) That would be cool.

Answer 5

That's hard to say but I would suggest seeing about a shepherd that has had good training like maybe a dog that had began training for police or companion dog but might not have passed the other test. Most of them have excellent training.
I'm afraid a puppy might trip him and he's ( no disrespect) but to old to deal with the training and all that a pup would need when you aren't there.
Good luck in the decision and I would also ask him if it's what he really wants just like a grandparent they like to watch the grand kids but sure don't want anymore kids themselves.

Answer 6

I would say get him a full grown dog, a puppy needs a lot of attention and play time. Get a full grown one and train the dog for your grandfather. It will improve his life

Answer 7

Puppies are a lot of work and can be a lot of trouble i think youre better off getting a full grown dog. Your granfather likes your dog bbut he is full grown and probably more relaxed so he would probably enjoy a grown dog more. But if you get one ( i would rescue it because then your helping both of them not just your grandfather) you should keep it for a couple weeks so that you know its behaviour, make sure its not agressive, that it likes other dogs, health problems ect.

Answer 8

JMO, but you shouldn't give your grandfather a dog without discussing it in depth with him. It's like kids... I love to see them but that doesn't mean I want little ones again! :-)Maybe "dog-sitting" is the perfect solution for your grandfather... he gets the benefit of fun pet interaction without the burden of responsibilities. Another thing to seriously consider... what happens if the dog (heaven forbid) outlives your grandfather? Some dogs can live 15-20 years.

Answer 9

yes OK get him a full grown dog but, a low ( easy to take of ) dog that doesn't need a lot of time to put into him/her and is really good to keep around so they both can live out their lives with each other.

Answer 10

I would have to say a full grown one based on my experience with my uncle. He bought a puppy and it annoyed the heck out of him.